England have been dealt a blow on the eve of the Rugby League World Cup, with Perth Bears-bound Morgan Smithies ruled out of the tournament through injury. The lock and second-row forward was hurt in training.
Leeds Rhinos' Kallum Watkins is set to depart for Australia to take Smithies' place in the squad. Watkins, who played in two of last year's three Ashes Tests against Australia, will arrive in Perth ahead of the weekend but is not set to feature in Saturday's opener against Tonga.
Head coach Brian Mc Dermott expressed disappointment at the news. "It's really unfortunate what has happened to Morgan with an injury picked up in training," he said. "Morgan has been great since we entered camp. He's a real team player and his work ethic and toughness are qualities that we will certainly miss."
Mc Dermott praised Watkins, saying he "enjoyed a terrific season with Leeds this year and has been part of our England Performance Programme building into this World Cup." Watkins, 35, began his career as a centre but has moved into the pack in recent years. Should he feature, he will play in his fourth Rugby League World Cup, having previously represented England in 2013, 2017 and 2022.
England are in Group B alongside Lebanon and Samoa.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing